The athletics world has lost a true legend. The Olympic gold medalist, Greg Bell, who overcame adversity to etch his name in history, passed away at 94. From a modest upbringing to standing atop the podium at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, his journey has been anything but ordinary. A long jump maestro, Hall of Famer, and an inspiring mentor, he left an indelible mark on the sport. His passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes, with fans and fellow athletes remembering his remarkable achievements and humbleness. Let’s know how his journey has been.

Gregory Curtis Bell was the oldest living Olympic gold medallist in athletics. Bell was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, on November 7, 1930, and has been an Army man, a dentist, and an outstanding long jumper. What about his school? He went to high school at Garfield. He began working and later served in the army before enrolling at Indiana University, where he won the NCAA Championships and went undefeated in the long jump during his time there. How did his sports journey start?

As a freshman at Indiana University, Greg Bell won the AAU long jump in 1955. In the subsequent year, he achieved a jump score of 26-6½ (8.09), and Bell was only behind Jesse Owens. After winning the Olympic championship, Bell went on to win the AAU indoors in 1958 and the NCAA long jump in 1956 and 1957. His Olympic feat?

Bell’s Olympic medal? In difficult circumstances, a 26-year-old Bell leaped 7.83 meters to win by 15 centimeters over his countryman John Bennett at the 1956 Olympic Games. After placing fourth at the US Olympic Trials in 1960, Bell retired after winning silver at the Pan American Games in Chicago in 1959. His accolades?

Bell was inducted into the USATF Hall of Fame in 1988. He was also a charter member of both the Indiana Track and Field and IU Athletic Hall of Fame. Bell has an amazing athletic career; after placing fourth at the 1960 US Olympic Trials, he retired and went on to earn a silver medal at the 1959 Pan American Games in Chicago. What after retiring from the sport?

After retiring from athletics, Bell pursued a career in dentistry, serving as a director at Logansport State Hospital. His legacy extends beyond sports, leaving an indelible mark on both track and field and the field of dentistry. Bell also served as Logansport State Hospital’s dental director for fifty years before retiring in 2020 at the age of 89. Now as the track and field world sees yet another death taking the legend away at 94, fans and the athletics world are mourning for him.

Fans are mourning over Greg Bell’s death

Legendary long jump star Greg Bell has left for heavenly reward. His death brought forth the fans and his fellow athletes, who gave tributes, praising his humbleness and a person who never let go of his dreams to see the young generation prosper. Fans and the athletic world pour their love and call him a very special man. As one fan commented, “He was a very special man; I visited with him several times. Lived about 20 minutes from my home. Talked often with young children, showing his gold medals to them, giving encouragement.” The user remembers the visit to Bell and how he used to motivate and encourage the young generation to start their sports journey. Bell won an Olympic gold medal in the long jump at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.

One fandom showed the grief; the comment reads, “Sad day to hear of Greg’s passing. It was an honor to meet him when we dedicated Gold Medal Plaza in 2009.” In 2009, Terre Haute acknowledged the contribution of Bell and two other local Olympic gold medalists by adopting Gold Medal Plaza. Plaza was an acknowledgment of their achievement and a boost to the people in their community.

Another fan and admirer wrote, “For anyone longing for a classy, humble, talented role model, consider the life of Dr. Greg Bell. The Olympic gold medalist and renaissance man, who rose through hardship and discrimination, has passed at age 94. Farewell to a true great.” Apart from various injuries, Greg Bell had to start college late as compared to other students. Why, you may ask? Because he was drafted into the U.S. Army after he graduated from Garfield High School in Terre Haute, his athletic career was postponed until 1954.

One user even fell short of words: “His life was… well, it was mythic. No one had a more unconventional path to Olympic gold.”  He set a personal best of 8.10 meters at Austin, Texas, in 1957, which was only three centimeters short of the world record set by Jesse Owens in 1935. In 1956 and 1959, he also jumped 8.09 and 8.10 meters, respectively.

Indiana University official X handle also mourns Greg Bell’s death. The post reads, “Indiana University mourns the loss of Olympian, NCAA Champion & IU Hall of Famer Greg Bell.” He served in the army before enrolling at Indiana University. In IU, he won the NCAA Championships and went undefeated in the long jump during his time there. His remarkable journey, both on and off the field, stands as a testament to perseverance, humility, and the pursuit of excellence.